NGE hosts 4th Lateef Jakande memorial lecture July 23

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has disclosed that the 4th Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture will hold on Thursday July 23, 2026 in Lagos.

The Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture is an annual lecture series instituted by the NGE in 2023 to honour the legacy of Lateef Jakande, a former Lagos State Governor, and former Minister of Works, who was regarded as the late iconic journalist, who was one-time President of the Guild.

“The Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture continues to serve as a platform for thought leadership, policy debate, and national introspection, while keeping alive the standard Jakande set in journalism and public service,” the NGE said in a statement jointly signed by Eze Anaba, President and Onuoha Ukeh, General Secretary.

According to the statement, the theme for this year’s lecture is ‘The Media, INEC, Voters and Path to Credible Elections,’ and will be held by 11am.

The Jakande Memorial Lecture started in 2023, with a lecture delivered by Chief Felix Adenaike, Fellow of the NGE. In 2024, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of ThisDay and Arise Mews TV, spoke on “Rapid Changing Media Landscape: Survival Strategies.”

The third edition last year had theme: “Journalism and the Challenge of Nation-Building in a Multi-Ethnic Society” and delivered by Bauchi State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed.

According to the Guild, Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University, will deliver the lecture, with Kayode Fayemi, the former governor of Ekiti State, as chairman.

Expected at the lecture is Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the chief host and special guest of honour; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; elders of the Guild, including former Governor of Ogun State, Segun Osoba and publisher of Vanguardgroup of newspapers, Sam Amuka; top government officials, managing directors and editors of print, electronic and online publications and civil society groups.

Also expected at the lecture are Mass Communication and Journalism lecturers and students of Caleb University, Ikorodu, Lagos; Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos; Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos and Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos.

The statement said that the Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture brings together media leaders, public officials, and civil society to reflect on nation-building, governance, and the role of the press, describing it as “a fitting tribute to Alhaji Jakande’s legacy, which embodies dedication to journalism, governance, and service to Nigeria.”

The Guild also said that University students are invited to the lecture every year for them “learn the value of service, excellence and dedication to journalism and public service as well as for them to connect with practising journalists who could serve as their role models in the profession.”